OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A former assistant football coach at West Port High School was arrested Wednesday on multiple felony charges involving sexual activity with a minor.
James Edward Ford III, 43, faces charges including unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, offenses against students by authority figures, and traveling to meet a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, according to Ocala Police.
Detective Blanton arrested Ford following an investigation that began when a School Resource Officer learned of an alleged inappropriate relationship between Ford and a student last week.
The 16-year-old student told investigators she and Ford began communicating via text messages and phone calls in January 2024. According to police, the student reported they started meeting outside of school in August 2024, including kissing encounters in a school locker room. The student disclosed a sexual encounter occurred in Ford’s vehicle in September 2024.
Ford was also charged with use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
Ocala Police are asking anyone with information about similar incidents to contact law enforcement.